Bangladesh's ambition is to build on its very solid growth and poverty reduction achievements, and accelerate growth to become a middle income country by 2021, and share prosperity more widely amongst
Faced with changing economic circumstances and a reorientation of trade toward Europe and Asia, will Eurasia’s cities be able to adjust? Will some cities be granted the flexible regulations and suppor
Published annually since 1978, the World Development Report has long been an influential publication and an essential reference on the world economy and the state of economic and social development. E
For the World Bank and its partners, the ever-present test is to deliver results-to lift people out of poverty and promote socially and environmentally sustainable development. Achieving such success
A growing number of governments are working to improve their performance by creating systems to measure and help them understand their performance. These systems for monitoring and evaluation (M and E
China and India's new-found interest in trade and investment with Africa - home to 300 million of the globe's poorest people and the world's most formidable development challenge - presents a signific
'Judicial Systems in Transition Economies' looks at the experience of countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as they reform thei
Gender equality is a core development objective in its own right and also smart development policy and business practice. No society can develop sustainably without giving men and women equal power to
Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a threat to water security in different countries or areas of East Asia, driven by water over-withdrawal and pollution, and aggravated by climate change and var
This report builds on the conclusions of the Green Infrastructure Finance: Leading Initiatives and Research report and lays out a simple and elegant way in which scarce public financing can leverage m
India has 150GW of renewable energy potential, about half in the form of small hydropower, biomass, and wind and half in solar, cogeneration, and waste-to-energy. Developing renewable energy can help
An at-a-glance guide to the world's most pressing problems and challenges. Presents colorful world maps and engaging graphics that provide a wealth of information for over 200 countries and territor
In 2009, Sri Lanka emerged from nearly 30 years of armed conflict with more than 450,000 Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs), a North and East in need of reconstruction and rehabilitation, and a dislo
Intense rainfall floods Dhaka, Bangladesh, one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities, year in and year out, and those in the city’s slums and shanties are usually the most affected. Low-lying floo
News and money today travel fast, but in Central Asia the bulk of people and goods still travel by road. Hence, the main roads crisscrossing this vast region and related services are arteries supporti
Dryland regions in Sub-Saharan Africa are home to one-half of the region’s population and three-quarters of its poor. Poor both in natural resources and in assets and income, the inhabitants of drylan
Dryland regions in Sub-Saharan Africa are home to one-half of the region’s population and three-quarters of its poor. Poor both in natural resources and in assets and income, the inhabitants of drylan
One global issue that will be at the forefront of WBG work this year and beyond is the forced displacement of people and its impact on ending extreme poverty. The WBG and UNHCR are preparing a report
World Development Indicators 2015World Development Indicators 2015 provides a compilation of relevant, highquality, and internationally comparable statistics about global development and the fight aga
Ghana’s demographic profile is changing, and demographic, epidemiological, and nutrition transitions are well underway. However, several of Ghana’s health outcome performances, especially in terms of
Natural resources have the transformational potential to support economic and political stability as well as contribute to national prosperity and economic development. However, in countries dependent
The rural economy in Bangladesh has powerfully advanced economic growth and substantially reduced poverty, especially since 2000, but the remarkable transformation and unprecedented dynamism in rural
Romania identified competition as key to its effective economic development and is positioning the Competition Council to become more visible and effective. Improving Romania’s competitive environment
The 'Independent Evaluation of IFC's Development Results 2009' assesses the development outcomes and additionality (unique role and contribution) of IFC interventions. It analyzes factors driving resu
Recent corporate scandals highlight the importance of both public sector initiatives and sound internal company policies in the fight against fraud and corruption. Policymakers, international organiza
The agriculture sector can play an important role in poverty reduction and sustained growth in Afghanistan, primarily through job creation, improved productivity, and inclusiveness. Using an 'agricult
Globalization and new technologies are impacting the desirability and feasibility of what has historically been the most successful development strategy. Manufacturing has been seen as special, promis
National income is underpinned by a country's wealth--measured comprehensively to include all assets, produced capital, human capital, natural capital and net financial assets--and sustained economic
World Development Indicators 2016 provides a compilation of relevant, high-quality, and internationally comparable statistics about global development and the fight against poverty. It is intended to
Problem-driven political economy analysis holds considerable promise to help development practitioners identify what policies and strategies are most likely to succeed in addressing difficult and pers
Bangladesh is undergoing a double transition—demographic and epidemiological. Increasing life expectancy and declining fertility entail a demographic transition fueling a shift in the disease burden t
Road freight transport plays an indispensable role in international economic cooperation and foreign trade. For short and medium distances in particular, road freight transport constitutes a predomina
Media development seeks to support and promote a pluralistic, editorially independent and financially sustainable media sector. An independent media sector buttresses key governance goals such as voic
China’s recent economic growth has expanded industrialization and urbanization, upgraded consumption, increased social mobility, and initiated a shift from an agricultural-based economy to one based o
Developing countries need additional, cross-border capital channeled into their private sectors to generate employment and growth, reduce poverty, and meet the other Millennium Development Goals. Inno
This guide is a resource to help International Finance Corporation (IFC) clients and other companies establish effective community development programs. It defines general principles and methods, diss
This study provides a basic diagnostic of residential network (piped) water coverage and affordability in Uganda and its relationship with poverty using a series of nationally representative household
The second edition of the Impact Evaluation in Practice handbook is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to impact evaluation for policy makers and development practitioners. First published in
In Central and Eastern European countries, inequalities for Roma families living in marginalized communities start early and are striking. Some of these inequalities reflect hard-wired family circumst
Connecting the Disconnected presents the findings of the field research designed to evaluate financial practices and strategies among urban and rural Bhutanese households. The study was commissioned i
